Everything listed under: Josh Orndorff

Congratulations Scecina Community! As we reported last week, Scecina has once again earned an A grade in the Indiana Department of Education school accountability rating system.

The state rating system utilizes multiple measurements of academic performance and progress, including standardized test scores and measurable indicators of college and career readiness. A significant dimension of Scecina’s A rating is our students’ test score growth from middle school to high school. I commend our students for believing in their growth potential, our teachers for fostering a growth mindset, and our parents for all that you do.

School accountability is but a pathway to higher goals. At Scecina, we want every college-bound student to identify and gain acceptance to his or her college or university of choice.

Already this semester, our college and career counselor, Mr. Josh Orndorff, has hosted or scheduled 26 college and university admissions representative visits. That’s about one higher education visit for every two days our students will have been in school by the end of October. Because of Scecina’s mission to prepare students for college and life, we present a range of higher education options to our students. As a result, our students are interacting with Ivy Tech Community College, the University of Notre Dame, and other prestigious institutions statewide and nationally.

Being a parent in society today is daunting. Parents, we appreciate all the sacrifices that you make and the insights you have about your children.

This week, we are recommending two websites that have practical, interesting tips and information about growing up and succeeding in today’s world. The two organizations, which are based on faith and values, are www.growingleaders.com and www.leadlikejesus.com.

Links to these websites now appear in the Parenting Resources section of The Weekly. I hope you visit them often and find benefit in them.

I hope the new school year is going very well for you and your child or children. It’s difficult to believe that we have almost reached the halfway point of the first grading period, but we have!

Please frequently ask your child how classes and other school activities are going. One of the marks of an authentic Catholic school is community as evidenced by teamwork and cooperation. You as parents are your children’s first and primary educators in faith. We are here to help you succeed in this awesome and sometimes perplexing if not frightening responsibility. Please, let us know how we can support you—and if we are doing a good job!

A second mark of an authentic Catholic school is what our Church calls a supernatural vision. Simply put, a supernatural vision means that we believe our students and your children are destined to become saints in heaven.

Along the way toward heaven, our students discover opportunities to succeed in college and/or careers. Next week, our annual College Planning Night will be on Tuesday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. Please enter through the east gym lobby.

Mr. Josh Orndorff, our college and career counselor, has planned an informative evening for you. This event is important for juniors and seniors and their families, especially if you are navigating the college admission process for the first time. As the marketing ads for a national hardware store chain say, “You can do it. We can help!”

In addition next week, the first quarterly Progress Report Night will be Thursday, Sept. 7 at 5:00 p.m. Please come and discuss your child’s academic progress with teachers. Both College Planning Night and Progress Report Night will be excellent opportunities to meet our new principal, Dr. Joe Brettnacher, if you have not already had the opportunity.

Yet another dimension of community in an authentic Catholic school is alumni engagement. Tonight is Homecoming! Please join us. The 2-0, state-ranked Crusader varsity football team plays the Park Tudor Panthers at 7 p.m. at Tech High School. You'll want to get there early for the tailgate party, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the parking area by the stadium. Our students showed a lot of spirit for Homecoming this week by dressing up according to the daily themes and decorating the halls. Let’s keep up that spirit by cheering on the Crusaders to victory tonight.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend! We'll be back on Tuesday to start another great week of community and learning at Scecina. Blessings,

Mission

Scecina Memorial High School, established by the Archbishop of Indianapolis, is a co-educational Catholic college and life preparatory school that motivates our diverse and gifted community of students to attain educational excellence, be lifelong learners, and live as servant leaders in the inspiring footsteps of Father Thomas Scecina.